We’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to! Read on for the top 10 travel industry news stories of the day that we think you need to know.
1. First inklings of MH17
Today, the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) will be releasing their preliminary report on the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines MH17 over Ukraine that killed 298 passengers.
While a thorough investigation will take a year to formulate, the preliminary report will be based on the information the DSB were able to retrieve.
While the DSB were not able to investigate the crash site, they have recovered the two black boxes from the flight.
No one has claimed responsibility over the incident. However, it is suspected that the plane may have been hit by a missile fired by pro-Russian separatists.
2. Intrepid travel releases statement over Nairobi incident
Image Source: Georgiannewsday.com
Two Australians are dead and three other tourists injured after a tourist truck crashed into a river in Kenya.
The truck was en route to the popular Masai Mara game reserve.
One of the tourists died on the spot after the truck rolled down a steep embankment and crashed onto its roof.
The other died at Narok County Referral Hospital after sustaining serious injuries.
Australian-based travel group, Intrepid were quick to release a statement.
“Our first concern is with those affected and their friends and families,” James Thorton, Managing Director of Intrepid said.
Intrepid Co-founder, Geoff Manchester will be departing for Nairobi today to provide support and assistance to both tourists and their ground team.
3. Bingle bumped by a button nose with a bucket
Aussies are never one to shy away from a challenge and this sentiment has been fortified by the latest ice bucketeering stint from Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, John O’Sullivan.
Acting on the Canadian Tourism nomination, O’Sullivan copped a drenching from a koala and kangaroo with the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the back drop.
“What better place to do this than in the world’s most beautiful harbour city, Sydney – just yards from the Harbour Bridge, overlooking the famous Opera House and with a couple of our furry animals on hand to lend a helping hand,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
4. WA: from bust to boom
Pictured: Bussleton Jetty, WA.
Coinciding with the end of the last resources boom, Tourism Australia has experienced a rise in tourism demand.
According to Tourism Western Australia (WA), the number of overnight visits in the region has grown by 8.6 per cent.
There is also a positive swing on international arrivals, with more than 776,500 visitors heading to Western Australia in the last 12 months.
To service the increased demand for accommodation, the development of seven accommodation projects, providing 1331 new rooms were due to become available in Perth between 2015 and 2018.
5. REX fails to woo crowds
Experiencing turbulence: Rex Airlines.
Australian Regional Airline, Regional Express (REX) has recorded a 45 per cent drop in profits from the previous year.
The lackluster figures, according to the airline, are a sign that the Australian aviation industry is in crisis.
Their basis for this claim is the significant drop in passenger numbers, falling almost 20 per cent since the end of financial year in 2009 – equating to a loss of 30 000 passengers.
The airline flew fewer than 38 000 passengers in the 2014 financial year.
It has not experienced passenger growth since 2009.
While management is hopeful of an improvement in the year ahead, they remain ambiguous on what strategies they will employ to achieve this.
6. A truly Arab Spring?
Pictured: View of the Mohamed Aly Mosque and the Cairo city scape.
The Egyptian turmoil, which has endured since the 2013 overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak and Mohammed Morsi, has appeared subside in the minds of travellers and the travel industry.
Germany and the United Kingdom have lifted travel warnings and this easement has seen a new wave of visitors to the region.
The occupancy rate of Cairo hotels has risen 29 per cent this month, representing an 8.7 increase from the previous year.
Additionally, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airlines have also recorded a 71 per cent increase on their route to Sohag, located in Upper Egypt.
This is welcome news to not only Egypt’s Travel and Tourism sector but to the North African country whose economy is strongly dependant on tourism.
7. “Helloworld, Hello ACCOR,” says Qantas/Viva
Qantas Holidays and Viva! Holidays are reporting a strong trade uptake with indicators suggesting an acceptance following the introduction of the ACCOR dynamic link into Qantas Holidays and Viva! Holidays content systems in early May.
“This dynamic link allows us to offer multiple rate options to our trade partners for participating ACCOR hotels by providing a selection of BAR rates alongside our pre- negotiated rates on allotment,” said Lindy Christian, General Manager Global Product.
“Our agents love this innovation as it guarantees them the opportunity to connect with available inventory without having to wait for product on request to be turned around.”
The ACCOR dynamic link, delivered by Helloworld Services Pty Ltd, the contracting entity for Qantas Holidays/Viva Holidays, Go Holidays in NZ, Qantas Vacations in the USA, was supported by WEX as the provider of the Virtual Credit Card (VCC) required to facilitate supplier payments to ACCOR.
The partnership with WEX has allowed helloworld businesses for the first time to access a range of business payment benefits, including precise control and payment reconciliation.
“This is just the first of a number of dynamic links we will be introducing to our traditional wholesale brands and, as they come online in the coming months, our agency partners will be the first to know and the first to benefit,” Christian said.
8.LATAM gets new man
LATAM Airlines Group, the Latin American holding company, has announced the appointment of Francisco Portilla as Commercial Director for the Pacific Region, to lead the commercial team out of its Sydney headquarters.
Francisco Portilla has been with LATAM Airlines Group for three years, working in commercial strategy roles in both Santiago and Sao Paulo respectively.
Prior to joining LATAM in 2011, Francisco ran the sales operations at Gerdau as Sales Manager for the Brazilian based steel company, which has a strong presence across South America, the United States and Spain.
“We are delighted to have Francisco join and lead our Pacific commercial team in Sydney,” said Patricio Aylwin, Managing Director Asia Pacific, LATAM Airlines Group. “In his new role, Francisco will work closely with the executive team and will play a key role in the Pacific region as we continue to develop and grow our place in the market.”
Francisco Portilla’s appointment follows the departure of Javier Perez, who is stepping away after two years in the role of Senior Sales Manager of the Pacific Region.
9. Oaks Oasis gets a face lift.
Fresh and Fabulous, The Oaks Oasis Caloundra.
Iconic Caloundra resort Oaks Oasis on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has unveiled its fresh new look this week, following the completion of a landmark refurbishment program costing an estimated $9.7million.
The comprehensive revitalisation, carried out in three major stages over the course of two years, has seen the property transformed in its entirety, including its two accommodation wings, common areas, conferencing venues, Reflections Restaurant & Bar, and myriad leisure facilities.
The final phase of the overhaul, signaling this week’s highly anticipated property re-launch, saw the Sunset Accommodation Wing completely transformed, including all studios and one and two bedroom apartments, with all rooms totally refreshed and receiving new kitchens/kitchenettes, bathrooms, fixtures, carpet, paint, furniture and balconies.
“When we acquired Oaks Oasis in mid-2012, we recognised its incredible potential to operate as a premier and all-inclusive holiday, conferencing and wedding destination,” Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Brett Pointon said.
To celebrate the re-launch of Oaks Oasis, travellers are invited to take advantage of accommodation specials in a refurbished Hotel Executive King from just $109* per night (min. two night stay).
10. Mashing of marketing ideas in Hawaii
The fifth Annual Independent Travel Group’s business forum in Hawaii is set to begin on the 13th of November.
The main focus of the forum will be on how to implement new strategies for growth.
The forum will begin with a tour of Oahu, and with italktravel franchisees meeting for a focussed session, which will include new marketing, launch plans.
Key note Airline speaker is CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Mark Dunkerly, outlining HA future plans along with CEO of AFTA, Jayson Westbury, for a post ATAS launch update and industry overview.
The weekend will culminate with the ITG prestigious Awards dinner at the Moana Surfrider – Westin Resort & Spa.
Hawaiian Airlines is the major air sponsor and Hawaii Tourism is sponsoring the Welcome Dinner on the Friday night, at the exclusive Canoe Club on Waikii beach.
